ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has appealed to US Congress to allow it to proceed with efforts to enhance drug and alcohol testing procedures for professional drivers.

Greer Woodruff, senior vice-president of corporate safety and security for J.B. Hunt, addressed Congress on behalf of ATA. He made five recommendations that would allow trucking companies to more effectively screen drivers.

“Trucking has worked diligently to eradicate drug and alcohol abuse from its workforce. And we’ve made great strides in recent years,” added ATA president and CEO Bill Graves. But now, trucking is looking to the government for additional help.”

Firstly, the association wants a central database for positive drug and alcohol test results. This will allow employers to conduct a search during the hiring process and become aware of previous positive test results.

ATA also wants Congress to encourage the US Department of Transportation to implement an incentive-based random testing rate requirement and focus on carriers with higher than average positive test results. ATA also called on Congress to ban the manufacture, sale and distribution of products that help drivers mask drug or alcohol use. The association also wants the right to test hair as an alternative to urine.

In the US, about 2% of drivers tested for drugs and alcohol have tested positive. That number has remained consistent since testing began in 1995. ATA says drug use among professional drivers is about half as common as it is in the general workforce.